Classic Golfing Duels
Tiger Woods vs Rocco Mediate
2008 US Open at Torrey Pines
This week, Torrey Pines is hosting the US Open for the second occasion. The first time the fabled South Course held the coveted major championship yielded one of the all-time classic golfing duels. In 2008, the thrilling layout perched on the coastal cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean in California, proved to be the ideal stage for 19-hole electrifying finale between Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate.
The 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines in June was an epic battle that lasted 91 holes. And, possibly for the first time in his illustrious career, Tiger Woods was the unlikely winner!
That season two months earlier in April, Woods underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. It was his third knee operation. Facing an extended period of rest and rehabilitation, his doctors advised him against playing at the US Open. Woods declined the instruction—even though he hadn’t walked 18 holes since The Masters, he was short of match practice and he was hampered by an unfit knee. Woods was determined to overcome the seemingly insurmountable odds and score his third US Open trophy. Which he did! But, only after surviving the lengthy head-to-head contest with Mediate.
Woods and Mediate finished the 72 holes of regulation play at 1-under. The Americans were the first players to beat par for the event since 2004.
Woods entered Sunday’s fourth round with a one-shot lead over England’s Lee Westwood. However, it was clear he was playing in pain with the grueling event taking its toll on his ailing body. Mediate was two shots behind Woods and in outright third place. All three players would enjoy the outright lead at some stage during the day. With four holes to play, Mediate, who was sitting at 1-under for the event, held a narrow one shot lead over Woods and Westwood. Westwood closed out his final four holes with consecutive pars to remain at even par for the event after 72 holes and finish in outright third place. Mediate also ended his round with four straight pars to sit at 1-under and hold the clubhouse lead by one shot over Woods who was playing the 72nd hole. Woods needed to make a birdie at the 18th hole to force a playoff with Mediate, which he did after holing a 12-foot clutch putt for a four at the par 5 finishing hole.
(Tiger Woods celebrates after holing a memorable birdie putt at the 72nd hole to force a playoff).
The 2008 US Open was sent into overtime with the 18-hole playoff held the next day. It was the first playoff for the US Open since 2001. This was the final 18-hole playoff at the US Open. The United States Golf Association in introduced a two-hole aggregate playoff in 2018.
During the 18-hole playoff on Monday, Woods and Mediate traded the lead three times on the front nine. After ten holes, Woods held a three-shot lead. Mediate rallied with consecutive birdies at the 13th, 14th and 15th, which helped him gain a one-shot lead heading into the 18th hole. Like the day before, Woods birdied to tie Mediate. The result of the tournament would be determined by sudden-death playoff. Woods won the extra-hole (91st) with a par.
With the win, Woods kept his unbeaten streak alive when he has at least a share of the lead heading into the final round of a major championship (14−0).
* Two days after his classic win, Woods revealed that he sustained a double stress fracture of his left tibia during the rehab process leading up to the 2008 US Open. He was required to undergo another knee surgery and would miss the remainder of the season.
Relive the drama of the 2008 US Open featuring the 18-hole Monday playoff between Rocco Mediate and Tiger Woods as they battled for the desired title.
The 45-minute video produced by the USGA includes behind the scenes footage and interviews. Enjoy!
WATCH: US Open Epics...Tiger vs Rocco
Video Credit:
USGA: US OPEN EPICS
Image Credit:
Top...Chris WIlliams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Insert...Charles Baus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
